MHHC Celebrates World Read Aloud Day with NYCDOE

On Wednesday, February 5th, MHHC proudly joined the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) in celebrating the 15th anniversary of World Read Aloud Day. Our dedicated School-Based Health Center providers took part in reading to students across NYC schools, reinforcing the power of storytelling to build community, amplify diverse voices, and advocate for literacy as a fundamental human right.

Founded in 2010 by the literacy nonprofit LitWorld, World Read Aloud Day has grown into a global movement, bringing together millions of readers, writers, and listeners to honor the joy of reading. At MHHC, we are deeply committed to promoting literacy through ongoing initiatives that inspire young minds and support early childhood development.

One of our key programs, ReadWell, is a literacy initiative in partnership with the New York Public Library (NYPL). Held in our pediatric waiting rooms, ReadWell engages children through interactive storytelling sessions led by NYPL librarians and MHHC pediatricians. Each year, this program reaches over 1,700 children, distributing 2,100 bilingual books and hosting monthly storytelling events.

Our dedication to literacy extends beyond ReadWell through complementary programs, including:

• Reach Out and Read – Providing age-appropriate books to children ages 0-5 to foster early literacy skills.
• Prescription for Play – Distributing DUPLO brick kits and educational materials to children aged 18-36 months to encourage developmental play.
• HealthySteps – A social worker-led initiative connecting families of children ages 0-3 to essential social, behavioral, and early childhood development resources.

MHHC remains steadfast in its mission to make literacy accessible to all children, ensuring they have the tools to succeed and thrive.

To view the 2025 NYC Public School Reads video, click here.